Crabmommy: Santa's gonna be a little cheap this year

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  Posted by Mimi-pz Tue Dec 9, 2008 10:44am PST

  Our kids are getting a Wii this year with a few accessories. We've told them that their presents this year fall into the "quality" category -- not the traditional "quantity."

  We're planning on a lean 2009 too -- making adjustments for the as yet unknown future of my husband's current employment!

  Hopefully things will pan out for us, but at the moment... we're taking it easy!

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  Posted by HotCrossBuns Tue Dec 9, 2008 11:04am PST

  OMG! I thought I was the only one with kids who think their own tape is fabulous gift. hehehe I have to hide my own roll in the house or i'd never have any when I needed it!

  We told our kids that Santa had to lay off some elves this year and that production is down with a lot of toy manufacturers going out of business, so they shouldn't expect too much. It's all in good fun, but they've had fair warning that things may not be as lavish as years past. We're doing like Mimi this year, going for quality, not quantity.

  I acutally just picked up fancy underpants for all their stockings. Next week I'll get some socks to match!

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  Posted by Libby T Wed Dec 10, 2008 6:53am PST

  Wow. I thought I was cutting back this year, usally go overboard. I guess I am not then. But I am still spending about $300 on my 2 kids total. Some gifts are combination ones. I think the recession has not hit Texas yet, esp. now that gas is cheap again.

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  Posted by Susan Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:03am PST

  Well this is my kid's first Christmas, so besides not really knowing what is going on, she of course has no other Christmasses to compare it to. I think we spent a little less than we would have if she would have been around last year, but not a whole lot less. Really not so much because of the economy, but because now I am a stay at home mom (by choice) so our income is less because of that. My husband and I are spending a little less on other family members (parents, etc.) than normal, and also a little less on each other. But it's always the thought that counts, and it's always fun to open a gift and be surprised, no matter how inexpensive it was.

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  Posted by 311 is Life Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:12am PST

  Libby T, are you for real? You don't think the recession has hit TEXAS yet? I'm pretty sure it's not sparing anyone...

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  Posted by springtime Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:48am PST

  I agree with Susan. Kids just love opening presents... the gifts do not have to be expensive. There are many small gifts that will delight.. some board games, small trucks, small stuffed animals. This year I found a Hannah Montana wig, on sale ,for my five year old niece, ($ 12.00). She is quite the extroverted drama queen, so I know she will be thrilled. Any other year, I would have bought the microphone to go with it, but this year I am cutting back across the board.

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  Posted by Angel Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:01am PST

  This recession is good for us. It's going to teach us that material things are not what it's all about, because when you lose everything you thought was important, all you have left is what is really important. Friends and Family. We are concentrating on them and not so much ourselves this year. My kids agree that they already have a lot, and just want to spend as much time as possible with the ones they love. They are 9, 7, & 5.

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  Posted by Jenn Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:40am PST

  AH! I love that you're giving your child tape - I am too! There is no kid old on earth that won't be delighted by that gift. This Christmas will be just like all of the others my daughter has ever known - one "big" gift and a few small gifts. I learned quickly no matter how much you tell your family to cut back when you have the only grandchild on one side and she's now also the only available grandchild on my new husband's side she will get bombarded with gifts. So if I, er, Santa get her that one thing she wants, we're all good.

  On a side note - to help make Santa recession proof, look into a Christmas Club at your bank. I deposit $20 week, which I set up to automatically come out of my checking account on pay day (so I never feel the pinch) and in October my bank mails me my $1000 plus interest. Half goes into my savings account and the other half buys holiday cheer. Most banks offer them in denominations of $5 - $5 week can buy you $250 worth of gifts. Not bad for the same cost of a trip to Starbucks once a week.

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  Posted by Graphix Grrl Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:59am PST

  I spent about $100 on my 5-year-old for this Christmas. That is cutting back because last year I spent $200. I got her stuff she wrote on her list but what I realized is everything she asked for was small. So she's not getting a huge gift under the tree this year. That kind of makes me feel like I didn't get her enough because it won't look like much, but since it was all stuff she wanted then I guess I shouldn't be worried. It's definately frustrating when you can't spend as much on gifts as you would like. Oh well.

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  Posted by trxiegirl71 Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:05am PST

  I have a 5 year old Daughter, a 3 year old Son and a 12 year old Sister that I am buying for. I am not spending money on any one else other than people who live in my house (my MIL and My Mother live with us) or people who do not share my last name! LOL! So that is my Daughter, Son, Sister, Mother, MIL, Husband and Neices. I might get something small for my BIL and his wife. As for my kids, I have mostly gotten them used items. Before some people go bezerk, let me explain. I put up an ad on Craigslist looking for Barbie items for my Daughter. I explained that I would not take pure junk and that I would pay about $2.00 per doll. I got really great responses and then my Sister gave me all of her Barbie dolls and clothes and a car so all and all I have about 30 Barbie Dolls to present to her. I bought a Barbie Car with a doll in it at Wal*mart for $10.00 and now I am looking at a Barbie house and hopefully I can get that used too. I wash everything down and make it look really nice and there is no difference. I have about 12 Polly Pocket houses and peices to go with all of them that I got for $6.00 at the Flea Market. That was a deal. It was all in perfect condition too. She is also getting a gituar that I paid $20.00 at TRU. My Son is getting a Drum set that I paid $50.00 for and a bunch of Cars (Lightning McQueen) stuff. So I think that I have prob. spent about $100.00 for both of them. I am going to spend about $150.00 on the rest. Sorry for the long post, I want to let people know that just because it is used, does not mean that it is not out of the question to give it as a gift.

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